The talk of the town is the Constitutional Court recent decision that says that neither the National Police nor the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (AMET) can tow vehicles away from their legitimate owners without a sentence from a judge. If they do, they will have to pay a RD$50,000-a-day penalty for holding the vehicle.
According to El Nuevo Diario, the judges of the highest court warned that AMET is not allowed to seize, retain or embargo any vehicle without authorization from a judge, since this is a violation of articles 6, 8, 40 and 51 of the Constitution and article 8 of the American Convention.
The Constitutional Court decision is popular as thousands of car owners have been affected by the seizure of their cars or motorcycles, which are often returned with parts missing.
The court said in no uncertain terms that removing vehicles is not part of AMET’s remit and that the Police can only remove a vehicle “if the owner has given written consent.”